Godwin Obaje scored twice. Rangers beat Bendel Insurance. Rivers United won at Wikki. One point still separates them. The 2025/26 NPFL title will be decided on the final day.
Enugu Rangers maintained their one-point lead at the top of the Nigeria Premier Football League on Sunday, defeating Bendel Insurance 2-1 in Enugu through a Godwin Obaje brace. Rivers United kept pace by winning 3-2 away at Wikki Tourists in a pulsating encounter in Bauchi. Everything goes to Matchday 38, the final day of the season.
Rangers will travel to Lagos to face Ikorodu City. Rivers United host Katsina United at home in Port Harcourt. Both games kick off simultaneously on the final day of the 2025/26 NPFL season, with the title and several other outcomes still to be determined.
Rangers’ Path to the Win
Bendel Insurance took the lead through Alex Oweifaleya, threatening to derail Rangers’ evening in Enugu. The response was swift and decisive. Obaje equalized and then produced the winner to complete his brace, his two goals today taking his season tally to 14 league goals and keeping him firmly in the Golden Boot race alongside Ikorodu City’s Joseph Arumala.
The win means Rangers head into the final day one point clear of Rivers United. They need a win at Ikorodu City, or a draw if Rivers United fail to win at home to Katsina. The mathematics remain in Rangers’ favour, but the venue is challenging. Ikorodu City are fighting for a top-three finish and a continental ticket. The final day fixture between Rangers and Ikorodu could simultaneously decide the title, the Golden Boot, and continental qualification. Fans following the NPFL run-in can check the Bet9ja YOHAIG promo code before the final day kickoffs.
Rivers United Hold Their Nerve at Wikki
Rivers United’s 3-2 win at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi was the kind of result that keeps a title challenge alive. Wikki Tourists, fighting against relegation, pushed Finidi George’s side all the way in a five-goal contest. That Rivers United found the winning margin despite the pressure shows the character of a squad that has refused to give up on the title despite never leading the table all season.
Their final fixture, at home against Katsina United at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt, is as favourable as they could hope for. Katsina United have nothing left to play for in terms of the title. Rivers United need to win and hope Rangers slip up in Lagos. Those backing Rivers United’s title push on the final day can find markets at bet9japromotioncode.com.ng.
The Rest of Matchday 37
Shooting Stars moved to third place in the table with a 1-0 home win over Barau FC, Lucky Emmanuel’s goal four minutes before half-time the difference. Third place means CAF Confederation Cup football, which makes Shooting Stars’ final-day fixture a meaningful one regardless of the title race.
Katsina United’s 4-1 demolition of Ikorodu City is significant for the Golden Boot race. Joseph Arumala, on 12 goals, now faces the awkward prospect of his club conceding four on Matchday 37. Whether Arumala scored in that game will affect the Golden Boot standings heading into the final day. Kwara United beat Enyimba 2-0 in a result that keeps Enyimba in the relegation battle. El-Kanemi Warriors drew 0-0 with Niger Tornadoes, a result that may not be enough to guarantee survival. Remo Stars beat Bayelsa United 2-1 in Ikenne, with Victor Mbaoma scoring to keep his Golden Boot challenge alive on 11 goals. Those tracking every relegation and qualification outcome can get started with this Bet9ja promo code today page ahead of the simultaneous final-day kickoffs.
Matchday 37 Results
- Shooting Stars 1-0 Barau FC (Lucky Emmanuel 41′)
- El-Kanemi Warriors 0-0 Niger Tornadoes
- Kwara United 2-0 Enyimba
- Remo Stars 2-1 Bayelsa United (Oyowah, Mbaoma; Nneoyi 5′)
- Rangers International 2-1 Bendel Insurance (Obaje x2; Oweifaleya)
- Katsina United 4-1 Ikorodu City (Onuoha x2; …)
- Wikki Tourists 2-3 Rivers United
- Abia Warriors 0-2 Kun Khalifat (Onuoha x2)
- Kano Pillars 1-0 Warri Wolves (Rabiu Ali)
- Nasarawa United 1-0 Plateau United
NPFL Top Two After Matchday 37
| Club | P | Pts | Final Day Fixture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rangers International | 37 | 65 | Away vs Ikorodu City |
| Rivers United | 37 | 64 | Home vs Katsina United |
Did You Know?
- Godwin Obaje’s brace against Bendel Insurance took his league goal tally to 14 for the 2025/26 season, moving him within one of joint-leaders Joseph Arumala and Victor Mbaoma in the Golden Boot race. Obaje won the NPFL Golden Boot in the 2015/16 season with 18 goals for Lokoja FC, making him the only player in the current top-four scoring chase who has previously won the individual award.
- Katsina United’s 4-1 win over Ikorodu City is one of the more consequential Matchday 37 results away from the title race. Ikorodu City’s concession of four goals may have affected Golden Boot leader Joseph Arumala’s tally if he did not score, handing the advantage in the scoring race to Obaje and Mbaoma heading into the final day. The championship and the Golden Boot could both be decided by the same final-day Rangers vs Ikorodu City fixture.
- Kwara United’s 2-0 win over Enyimba is a significant relegation-zone result. Enyimba, one of Nigeria’s most decorated clubs with eight NPFL titles, are now seriously threatened by the drop. Their final-day fixture will be a survival game for a club that has historically dominated domestic football but has struggled in 2025/26 under considerable financial and squad pressure.
- El-Kanemi Warriors’ 0-0 draw with Niger Tornadoes likely leaves the Maiduguri club uncertain of their survival heading into the final day. Coach Kabiru Dogo, who controversially blamed a referee for his side’s 3-0 defeat to Barau FC on Matchday 36, will now need his players to produce a result on the last day. A loss or draw in the final game could see them relegated if results elsewhere go against them.
- Remo Stars’ 2-1 win over Bayelsa United confirms that the reigning NPFL champions, despite not being in title contention, have finished the season with a competitive record. Victor Mbaoma’s goal, his 11th of the season, keeps him in the Golden Boot race and continues a remarkable career resurgence for a striker who has represented Nigeria at youth level and spent time at clubs including Enyimba and Rwandan club APR FC.
- Shooting Stars’ 1-0 win and move to third place is historically significant. The Ibadan club, nicknamed the Log Stars, have won nine NPFL titles, jointly the most in Nigerian football history alongside Rangers who are chasing their ninth title on the final day. Shooting Stars’ potential Confederation Cup place represents one of the better outcomes for a club whose domestic record has been underperforming their historical standing in recent seasons.
- The final day of the 2025/26 NPFL season, scheduled for May 24, will feature simultaneous kickoffs across all venues. This format, borrowed from major European leagues, is designed to ensure no club can make tactical decisions based on results happening elsewhere. For the Rangers vs Ikorodu City and Rivers United vs Katsina United matches specifically, the simultaneous start means neither club will know their rivals’ result until both matches are concluded.
